Local Artist

Carol Chell - watercolor landscapes and abstracts

Watercolor artist Carol Chell earned her BA degree in Art with honors
from San Jose State University. While exposed to oils, acrylics and other art
media through her college years, Carol focused her attention on
watercolor.

Much of her inspiration came from SJSU instructor Eric Oback,
a widely known and recognized master of watercolor. "He painted with
abandon, instilling a belief that there are no limits to the medium."

"Watercolor is a passion for me. Because it is less forgiving than
other media, it challenges me -- and I get great pleasure in trying to
meet those challenges. The love of beautiful art expressions has always
been in my life, and I consider myself always growing and evolving as I
explore the many effects possible with watercolor."

Carol's work has
been primarily of loosely interpreted landscapes, and, more recently,
with watercolor abstracts that often are completed as collages with
mixed media additions.

After a career in interior design and different aspects of sales and
marketing, Carol and her husband Steve moved to Gualala in 2006. "We
retired to this gorgeous area after spending many summer vacations up
here. We had found a home that we loved, and it had a studio for me and
a workshop for my husband, also an artist. I knew it was my time to
paint again!"

Since then, Carol has taken workshops with Fred Graf, Karen Bowers, Judy
Greenberg, Dale Laitinen and Susan Cornelis, all widely collected
award-winning artists. Carol has exhibited and won awards locally in
shows sponsored by Gualala Arts and is currently the manager of Gualala Arts'
Dolphin Gallery in downtown Gualala.